Friends of the Gulf Islands Society

03/07/2026

As the Islands Trust considers a new Policy Statement, a critical legal voice has emerged. Don Lidstone K.C., a top specialist in local government law and former counsel to the Islands Trust, has analyzed the draft, and his conclusions are alarming for anyone concerned with island preservation.

His analysis finds that the draft erroneously reinterprets the Trust's original mandate, potentially opening the door to development by:

1️⃣ Allowing "unchecked growth" by moving away from the Trust's original object.

2️⃣ Removing language on density limits tied specifically to ecosystem carrying capacity.

3️⃣ Moving carrying capacity decisions from "scientific" data to "subjective" political ones.

4️⃣ Failing to address climate change in any meaningful or measurable way.

5️⃣ Risking legal fallout as it may adversely affect Aboriginal claims or rights.

The Trust must remain focused on its primary goal: preserving the natural features of this region.

Please take the time to read the full legal analysis on the FOTGIS website.

https://www.friendsofthegulfislands.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/LT-L.-Patrick-Re-Draft-TPS-SIGNED.pdf

01/25/2026

Joni Mitchell’s lyric, “they will pave paradise and put up a parking lot” was inspired by her visit to a skyscraper in Oahu amid the greenery and birds of the beautiful island.

We must protect the natural environment of the BC Gulf Islands before it becomes a parking lot.

Say NO to the draft Trust Policy Statement that does not define “environment” as the “natural environment”.

Email your concerns to Island Trustees ([email protected]). Learn more: https://www.friendsofthegulfislands.ca/strong-policies-protect-the-islands/

01/14/2026

📢 Is the public consultation process of the draft TPS adequate on your island? 📢

Friends of the Gulf Islands are concerned about what level of public consultation on the draft Trust Policy Statement (TPS) is taking place on the Trust islands.

On many islands we're hearing the only consultation was a brief time before a Local Trust Committee meeting, at which few questions could be asked and fewer were answered, despite full public consultation as recommended by the previous Minister of Municipal Affairs.

We invite you to share your experience: https://forms.gle/kFVt9mGMZnjUFmaG6

11/01/2025

This year the Minister of Housing & Municipal Affairs confirmed the Trust was set up to protect the natural environment of the Gulf Islands. This is a positive step to ensure the Islands Trust protects the Gulf Islands from over-development. Donations and memberships help continue this important work.
https://www.friendsofthegulfislands.ca/membership/

10/15/2025

The draft Trust Policy Statement (TPS) does not define environment as "natural" environment. A previous definition supported by the Trust Council was so broad it included man-made structures. Because of public objections, they removed any definition. Take action and write to [email protected] to express your concerns.

10/05/2025

Take action now! A new draft Trust Policy Statement (TPS) threatens protection of the islands. https://www.friendsofthegulfislands.ca/news-updates/take-action-draft-tsp-threatens-protection-of-the-islands/

09/12/2025

The environment and rural character of the Trust Area islands are threatened. The Islands Trust is developing a new policy statement to govern local island bylaws. Among other concerns, this policy statement doesn’t define the environment as the natural environment.

Read our comments on the draft Trust Policy in our guide to the Island Trust's Survey:

Please complete the new Islands Trust survey

09/10/2025

On Wednesday, September 10, the Islands Trust is hosting a zoom meeting to discuss draft changes to the Trust Policy Statement. This document governs the content of island bylaws and Official Community Plans. Join this virtual meeting to explore the draft, ask questions, and learn how you can get involved. Register here:

Islands Trust is currently in Phase 4 of public engagement on the draft Policy Statement (Summer 2025 to February 2026). Join this virtual Town Hall […]

07/23/2025

“It (the Islands Trust) was an incredibly innovative piece of legislation, and these islands would not look like they do if that hadn’t come through. So people can hate them all they want, but the alternative they would have hated even more.” — Briony Penn, environmental activist, author and Gulf Island resident. Read her full interview in the May/June issue of Aqua - Gulf Islands Living Magazine. Artwork credit: Briony Penn